In 2019, I stumbled upon a whole new world—apologetics! A fresh book had just been released by Hillary Morgan Ferrer called Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies. I devoured it cover to cover, and before long I was following public apologists on YouTube and social media, soaking in all I could learn.

At the same time, I began praying for a ministry partner among the families I served. I knew the Lord was preparing us for what was ahead, and that equipping families in apologetics would strengthen our faith for the cultural and spiritual choices we’d all soon face as a Body of Christ.

Apologetics simply means offering a thoughtful, reasoned defense of the Christian faith. As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

In 2020 I attended an online conference on a Friday and Saturday offered by Women in Apologetics and I was energized, continuing to pray fervently for that partner. I’ll never forget how I pounded a TV tray in my bedroom, in tears, shouting praises to the Lord for opening this door after what He’d revealed to me across a screen.

By fall 2021, the Lord answered my prayer and provided that ministry partner. A quiet hallway conversation started an incredible journey. Together we launched a Tuesday-night women’s small group and began weaving apologetics into our Sunday discipleship with 3rd–5th graders and their leaders. God blessed that step of obedience with clarity, excitement, and momentum.

And then last Thursday—what a full-circle moment! Hillary Morgan Ferrer herself came to speak at a nearby church. Six of us enjoyed dinner beforehand and then joined a sanctuary of men and women eager to learn.

I took pages of notes, but four of her insights especially stuck with me:

  1. Use apologetics tools—like asking good questions—to lower the temperature of culture and bring back civil dialogue. That’s one way we can shine as set-apart people today.
  2. Moms usually get questions first. Mama stands to equip their children for what is true and false in the world, so let us ROAR like a Mother. Our kids (biological, adoptive, spiritual) need to hear us both affirm the truths and reject the lies.
  3. “Faith in Jesus saved my life, and apologetics saved my faith,” as a preteen.
  4. The “Founder’s Effect”—the first person to introduce new information often becomes the “expert” in the minds of those who heard it. Go back to #2 above.

Oh, how faithful the Lord has been on this journey—from a book in my hands to a fire in my soul to a ministry that equips families with truth and love. And a ministry that equips disciples of Jesus to engage in healthy conversations about a faith in Jesus that is worth defending.

“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17